The Aam Aadmi Party Mumbai today, held a protest against rising fuel prices in Mumbai and across India by placing 2-wheeler motor vehicles on hand-driven carts in Bandra West.
According to a press release by the AAP Mumbai unit, the point they are making is that the increase in fuel prices have had a spillover effect on all essentials such as food grains, oils, vegetables etc.
The point being made is that the increase in fuel prices have had a spillover effect on all essentials such as food grains, oils, vegetables etc. | FPJ Photo
The party has slammed both state and centre for the price rise | FPJ Photo
"The Aam Aadmi today has found it difficult to survive as fuel prices not only affect transport, but also the prices of essential goods and services. All prices in the economy are rising by the minute, and it is going to be the most expensive festive season for the people of Mumbai - whose back has already been broken by the pandemic," the press release stated.
"The State and the Centre are both responsible for this, as both keep increasing their taxes on fuel. If the State and the Central Govt. made a conscious decision to reduce taxes by 25 percent each, the prices would be rational. The rising prices are a consequence of the government's abject failure to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs being borne by common citizens." said Sumitra Shrivastav, AAP Mumbai Working President.
In Mumbai, a litre of petrol now costs Rs 114.14, and diesel is sold at Rs 105.12 per litre | FPJ Photo
The fuel prices remained static last week on Monday and Tuesday, but had risen for four straight days by 35 paise per litre previously before again rising for five consecutive days between Wednesday and Sunday | FPJ Photo
Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices were hiked on Thursday, the second consecutive day of increase that took pump rates across the country to record high levels. In Delhi, rates soared 35 paise to cost Rs 108.29 and Rs 97.02 per litre respectively after the latest hike, according to Indian Oil Corporation.
In Mumbai, a litre of petrol now costs Rs 114.14, and diesel is sold at Rs 105.12 per litre. In Chennai, petrol is retailed at Rs 105.13 and diesel at Rs 101.25 per litre while in Kolkata, petrol costs Rs 108.78 and diesel Rs 100.14 per litre.
The fuel prices remained static last week on Monday and Tuesday, but had risen for four straight days by 35 paise per litre previously before again rising for five consecutive days between Wednesday and Sunday. It remained static again on Monday and Tuesday before rising again on Wednesday.
There was no change in rates on October 12 and 13. Diesel prices have now increased for 25 of the last 33 days taking up its retail price by Rs 8.15 per litre in Delhi. With diesel prices rising sharply, the fuel is now available at over Rs 100 a litre in several parts of the country. This dubious distinction was earlier available to petrol that had crossed Rs 100 a litre-mark across the country a few months earlier.
Petrol prices had maintained stability since September 5, but oil companies finally raised the pump prices last week and this week given a spurt in the product prices lately. Petrol prices have also risen on 22 of the previous 29 days taking up its pump price by Rs 6.75 per litre. Crude prices have been on a surge rising over three year high level of over $ 86 a barrel now as global demand remains firm while OPEC+ continues to move slowly on increasing production.
Since September 5, when both petrol and diesel prices were revised, the price of petrol and diesel in the international market is higher by around $9-10 per barrel as compared to average prices during August.
